The mages from the Narcissus Principality had never expected civilians to be transformed into traps.
Even in the most brutal war they had experienced—the Land Partition War that had caused Herasul to split apart—the Stibnite People had never used such an "inhumane" method of warfare.
After all, the civilians of the various nations had all been one people until not long ago. Their cultures, languages, and ways of life had been largely the same, and they had never harbored any deep-seated hatred.
It had been the "most meaningless war," caused by everyone's refusal to submit when Heracles died without an heir. Under such circumstances, anyone who resorted to unscrupulous means to survive would only create trouble for their future rule. And after they became part of Stibnite, it became even less likely that they would allow these noble mage lords anywhere near the front lines.
They also lacked experience in war. When they saw the terrified civilians running toward them, they not only failed to cautiously drive them away, but instead intended to ask what had happened.
As a result, those civilians exploded one after another—
—Fortunately, the people who had landed first included the Children of the Moon, as well as two Blood Lords.
The Children of the Moon did not possess the lofty kindness of the tower mages. Instead, they made the most malicious assumptions about everything around them. Thus, when they saw the civilians suddenly approach, they secretly raised their guard.
They had not seen the gratitude and excitement of people who had been "saved" on those civilians' faces. They had seen only "fear."
It was a fear they recognized all too well.
Thus, they gripped their defensive spells in their hands. When the first explosion occurred, they immediately unleashed them! Advanced Protection Barrier! Rejection Iron Wall!